Cruising for the whole family

By John Pedler
Published: Wednesday, May 5, 2021
Updated: September 17, 2021 at 2:25 pm

These days, cruise ships are a cross between floating villages and seaborne resorts. They have shopping arcades, a variety of bars and restaurants, cinemas and live theatrical shows, and everything you’d expect to find in a small town that’s solely dedicated to having a good time.

Carnival Spirit

Twenty-four-hour pizza and ice-cream – job done! But there’s more than just all-day snacks to keep the kids busy on a Carnival cruise. The Spirit has the largest shipboard waterpark in Australia, with something for all ages.

Little tackers can scoot down the smaller slides, while bigger kids can experience the near-vertical freefall of the Green Thunder waterslide. There’s also mini-golf, a basketball court, and even a Build-a-Bear Workshop.

Every evening by the pool, the outdoor cinema shows the latest flicks. Family movie nights can be enjoyed from the comfort of lounge chairs or, in a serious nod to the cruising lifestyle, you can watch from the pool.

There’s a range of supervised kids’ activities including Club 02, a teen hangout for 15 to 17-year-olds. Organisers can even plan teen-only shore excursions, for when everyone in the family needs some time with their own age group.

Where you can go: Pacific Islands, Great Barrier Reef, New Zealand

The Ovation is like a floating funfair.

Pacific Explorer, P&O

Just riding the glass lift up the massive, four-deck-high atrium is a bit of a thrill, but it’s the Explorer’s outdoor activities that should really get the heart pounding.

As well as enjoying the simple pleasures of the waterpark, guests can also soar across the deck on a zip line, take on the pirate-inspired walk-the-plank experience over the ship’s rail, or scoot around on the Segway course.

There’s also laser tag and a bungee trampoline, and passengers are welcome to get a team together for a game of barefoot lawn bowls.

Chock-a-block with toys, Turtle Cove is the supervised playspace for toddlers. There are also separate areas and activities for children aged 11 to 14 and 15 to 17.

And while the little ones are busy getting crayon all over their faces, mum and dad can retreat to the ship’s two adult-only areas, both with sunlounges and pools.

Where you can go: New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Moreton Island, New Zealand

Kids activities aboard Norwegian Cruise Line.

Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Cruise Line

Setting sail from Sydney from next year, the Norwegian Spirit is a great option for your next family adventure.

On board, there’s a range of youth programs, play spaces and activity centres for all ages. For kids aged 6 months to 3 years, the Guppies program will look after your little ones while you relax aboard.

For older children, there’s Splash Academy (3 to 12 years of age) and Entourage (teens aged 13 to 17) – activity zones that’ll keep them busy throughout the cruise. Think themed party nights, dance clubs, movie sessions, sports and more.

The 2-bedroom Family Suites are also located right nearby the kids areas too, so it’s just a hop, skip and a jump for them to play the hours away.

Where you can go: New Zealand, South Pacific, Bali, Australia (various).

Water slides aboard Ovation of the Seas.

Ovation of the Seas, Royal Caribbean

If this ship spent all its time dockside it would still have kids crawling all over it. The Ovation is like a floating funfair, jam-packed with an incredible range of activities.

Outside there’s a rock climbing wall, a waterpark, a poolside cinema, and a windowed capsule known as North Star, which rises high into the air to allow a bird’s-eye view of the ship and the surrounding sea. There’s also a skydiving simulator, powered by a giant fan, and an on-board surf machine. Inside there’s a complete amusement centre.

As well as a games arcade, there’s roller skating, table tennis, basketball, volleyball and indoor soccer. Plus the sports court converts to a bumper car arena and circus school, teaching kids all the skills they’ll need to become trapeze acrobats. As well as all this, the Ovation has kids’ clubs for ages up to 17.

Where you can go: New Zealand, New Caledonia, Tasmania

The Grand Princess from Princess Cruises.

Grand Princess, Princess Cruises

With Princess Cruises’ range of onboard accommodation options as well as an impressive collection of spaces and activity centres to suit every member of the family, you’ll be booking your next holiday on the seas in no time.

While their staterooms can accommodate up to 4 guests, there are also options for connecting staterooms and 2-bedroom Family Suites, which can sleep up to 8. So, no matter the size of your travelling tribe, you’ll be sure to find a suitable home-away-from-home aboard the Grand Princess.

Keeping everyone entertained is easier than ever aboard the Grand Princess too, with a range of spaces and activities on offer for everyone. The Treehouse is the perfect space for the littlies of the crew, recommended for kids aged 3 to 7. The jungle-themed play room is not only fun to explore, but it also offers art projects and Lego building competitions.

For older kids, there’s a Science Centre to keep their minds busy, as well as a Lodge full of games and opportunities to move their feet with dancing and sporting activities. The Beach House is the perfect hangout for older teens, with late-night movie sessions, hip-hop dance classes and a cosy space to hang out and meet fellow passengers (and even play a friendly video game together).

Don’t fret, parents aren’t forgotten about either, with plenty of places to rest, relax and put your feet up while the kids have their fun. The Sanctuary is specially designed for adults, with deck drinks, light meals and even massages on offer in the exclusive, quiet space.

With a stack of dining options on board too, you’ll be able to satisfy even the fussiest member of your hungry family.

Where you can go: Sydney, Melbourne, New Zealand, New Caledonia and Vanuatu

Bon voyage

Get ready to leave the mainland behind and explore our range of cruises.

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